LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL 

at the Circle In The Square Theatre

(Seen April 17, 2014)

Audra McDonald is back on Broadway, this time embodying the soul and voice and tragedy of Billie Holiday  (in what will surely gain her a Tony nomination --- she is a five-time winner!).

This is basically a one-person show --- although the jazz trio backing her and playing before her appearance are all excellent musicians.  While McDonald gives a virtuoso performance, I miss the structure that would have made this play by Lanie Robertson more of a play than merely an extended  concert.

Director Lonny Price has guided McDonald with a sure hand, ably showing Holiday's descent into despair, anger, frustration --- all leading to her untimely death from drugs and alcohol.